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Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net following victory in his Men’s Singles final during Day thirteen of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net following victory in his Men’s Singles final during Day thirteen of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The tennis world witnessed a heartfelt moment as Novak Djokovic, with a mix of nostalgia and enthusiasm, graced the courts of the United States after a gap of several years. The Western & Southern Open has held a special place in his journey, and as he stepped back onto its courts, memories of battles and triumphs flooded his mind.
In the intricate tapestry of Djokovic’s tennis journey, his rivalry with the legendary Roger Federer occupies a prominent place. Djokovic couldn’t help but talk about his rival whilst answering the question.
Novak Djokovic’s return to American tennis courts
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Speaking in a post-match interview, Djokovic said, “Yeah, the Western & Southern Cincinnati Open in 2020 was played in New York, actually, because of the bubble. So I haven’t played here since 2019. Time flies. You know, four years seems like it was yesterday. So it’s definitely nice to be back.” This sentiment is something all of us can relate to, whether we’re athletes or not. It’s a reminder that as time passes, experiences and memories become a part of who we are.
In the realm of Djokovic’s career, the shadow of his rivalry with Roger Federer looms large. Djokovic recounted, “I have had some really nice memories from this tournament. Winning it in 2018 obviously is a highlight for me, because it was the only Masters I haven’t won for years. You know, I think I lost four or five finals mostly to Roger.”
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Roger Federer of Switzerland looks over at Novak Djokovic of Serbia as he walks past him during a change of ends during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
What is the history that Djokovic shares with Federer at the Cincinnati hard courts?
Djokovic’s tale of resilience, rivalry, and triumph
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Let’s go back to 2018 when Djokovic faced Federer in the Cincinnati Masters. Djokovic had been trying to win this tournament for a while, and finally, he did it. He beat Federer with a score of 6-4, 6-4, and that victory was extra special because he had lost to Federer in similar matches before. When Djokovic won, he raised his arms in joy and even gave his racket and sweatbands to fans.
Djokovic’s journey in tennis is quite remarkable. He’s the first player ever to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, which are some of the biggest tournaments in the sport. This achievement shows how much hard work and dedication he’s put into his career.
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In a place where sports often focus on numbers, Djokovic’s story brings a human side: a story of never giving up, competition, and making things better. As he plays on the American courts again, he shows us that each win, each setback, and every move he makes, adds to his incredible journey.
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